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Hi, my name is Karen. Have you ever wondered how in the world that one person can survive so much pain and suffering in their life? Well, I would love to share with you how I went from despair to joy. Would you like to find out what it's like from a cancer patients point of view? Our bodies are miraculous!! It's amazing how much abuse, pain, surgery, poking and prodding that a body can endure. Mine has come through 14 different surgeries in just the last 14 years. Walk with me as I share my journey through this incredible ordeal. It has taken a lot of personal development on my part to get me through the trauma. My story could possibly be your story. There are probably many things that we have in common, you just haven't written yours down. I pray that you will have the courage to do so after reading my book. My name is Karen; I am a 44-year-old mother of four, with a marvelous husband, one grandson, and two granddaughters. I started singing when I was 8 years old. God has taken me down many paths since then. At the age of 9, twice a copperhead bit me. At the age of 10, I was in a severe car accident with my family. In the 10th grade, I started working at a rest home as a volunteer. I enjoyed it so much, that I continued through until the 12th grade. I was told that I could not stay there anymore because I was spending too much time with the patients. I sang to them brushed their hair, and rubbed their feet. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I say this to let you know that I have a deep love for my elders. At the age of 25, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer and had a complete Hysterectomy. God wasn’t finished testing me yet. At 32, I was diagnosed with a Vertebral Artery Dissection in the brain. As you can imagine, I often wondered how much a body could take. I trusted in the Lord to take care of me, and he did. In 1997, I started my own business so I could stay home with my children. God blessed the business with an overabundance of joy and financial blessings. I still sang for Gods glory during all of the trails and all of the good times. I learned from reading Gods word and from huge amounts of self-motivational books, that "If it is to be, its up to me!" I decided that it was time for me to give back something of myself to mankind; by helping others feel good about themselves, and to have a positive attitude no matter what the situation. I began doing that through sharing my testimony. In June of 2001, I was once again diagnosed with Cancer. This time of the Colon, I prayed for God to get me through this and once again he delivered me. He wasn’t finished with me yet, so in February 2002, I was diagnosed with Cancer of the Liver. I told God that I would bear the load if only I could touch one person. He allowed me to touch more than one; he has allowed me to touch thousands. Before going into surgery for the Liver Cancer, the doctors told me to get my affairs in order because I probably wouldn’t make it through this time. I told them that they weren’t God, and that he would decide when it was time for me to go. I got through that one with a victorious smile and a lot of pain after 9 hours of surgery and a lot of prayer. With great expectations, I continued to sing Gods praises. Little did I know that he had more in store for me, In June of 2003, I was diagnosed with Rectal Cancer. They told me I would have a permanent colostomy and basically not much of a life. They wanted me to go to counseling, but God wanted me to be the counselor. Have you ever wondered what your family member or friends are going through when they are diagnosed with cancer? Just read the words of my book for encouragement. There is something you can do to help. You can take action now by purchasing my book. I guarantee that you will travel an emotional highway as you live through the experiences with me. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will rejoice with me as you find the answers that you have been searching for. In conclusion, I just want to sing and share my testimony with the world.My prayer is that this book will be a blessing to you and your loved ones. It has been very healing for me to write. I look forward to sharing my whole story with you in the upcoming pages of One Woman’s Story: How I Survived Cervical, Colon, Liver and Rectal Cancer. In His Grip, Karen www.4xcancersurvivor.com fourxsurvivor@yahoo.comWe are not alone in our battle with cancer. Nearly 1.3 million men and women are fighting alongside us. They are facing the same anxieties, fears, and life-altering decisions. Their futures, too, are unknown. They know how we feel.

When we are first diagnosed, each one of us finds ourself at a critical juncture. If that's where you are today, you are going to have to work to develop a support system that will nurture you, respect your feelings, and see you through the muck and mire of cancer into the bright sunshine of recovery.

The worst thing you can do now is retreat into a cave. Be good to yourself.

Support groups rock!
One of the first things you'll want to do is find a support group in your community for people with cancer -- preferably, for people struggling with the same kind of malignancy you have. Usually, these support groups meet at local hospitals. Doctors, nurses and hospital social workers can direct you to support groups led by doctors, nurses or other people with cancer.

A support group will certainly help you wrestle with the feelings of anger, guilt, blame, and hopelessness you may be feeling. But these groups do more than just provide emotional support, they:


Hearing that your oncologist is considered to be the greatest thing since the invention of antibiotics will go a long way to soothing your fears; learning that your doctor isn't widely admired may help you find someone better suited to your needs.

Don’t forget that your family is battling cancer, too. Your spouse, parents, children, or siblings may need help dealing with their fears of losing you, and may be struggling with the life disruptions and financial worries cancer can bring.

Keep in mind that there are often support groups for families, too, and urge yours to feel free to turn to one for advice and encouragement.

Launch into cyberspace
Cyberspace is crammed with people with cancer who are seeking to connect with people just like them -- people like us. That, after all, is what got wikiCancer started in the first place.

In addition to this site, there are many other sources of support -- message boards, mailing lists, blogs, books and more are strewn about the internet, waiting for you to explore them, to see if you feel a connection.

The great advantage of cyberspace is that it transcends geographic bounds. On this Web site and others, you'll read about the experiences of others around the globe, and in turn, you can share your story with people who would otherwise never have the chance to meet you.

One caution: surfer beware! Be careful about believing everything you read on the internet. Be a discriminating information consumer. If it seems too good -- or too odd, or too outlandish -- to be true, it may well be. Take ideas from the Web, but follow them up with advice from people you know and trust.

See also